Take a Look at this....
For those of you who keep asking for proof that Apple ever said FREE usage of iTools for Macintosh customers, I post this image for your consideration.
Thoughts / Comments??
I sent this e-mail to Apple's feedback page on the .Mac service. I though it made some good points, and so I hope you will consider these words, also.
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I am concerned over your policies with the iTools conversion to .Mac. Many Mac users are furious about the switch from the free iTools to the fee-based .Mac. Many people simply do not use iTools heavily enough to justify the added expense. Other users are bothered by the fact that much of the value of .Mac seems to be in Backup and Virex, but people who are at all serious about backup and anti-virus software probably already own equivalent software that may be significantly more capable, as certainly is the case with Dantz's Retrospect backup applications. Plus, .Mac doesn't come with any Internet access, whereas most Internet connections from standard ISPs like EarthLink already include multiple email addresses and Web space, making the decision to pay yet again for these features more difficult. And finally, people feel let down because Apple initially made a big deal about how iTools was free and was intended to be a part of the overall Macintosh experience. On your "get iTools" blurb, seen upon installing OSX, you say, "Another benefit of owning Apple products is that you'll be able to use Apple's iTools for free". iTools does not exist any longer, and the .Mac model does not include any of these services for free. With no basic free options available under .Mac, it seem Apple has mislead customers. Personally, I believe Apple is within their rights in this matter, but I still understand how people could be very upset. Honestly, it is hard for me to say these customers were not mislead at all by Apple.
Perhaps a better move would be to keep only the Mac.com e-mail address, at least a forwarding address, available for free for current users. This option would ensure that Mac.com email addresses would continue to help promote the advantages of the Macintosh at large while significantly reducing the bandwidth and disk space requirements of the service model.
However, I do have another major concern. Many .Mac features are built into Mac OS X itself and into applications like iPhoto. It doesn't look good if high-profile functionality like having the iDisk be available from a Finder menu or HomePage publishing of Web photo albums simply doesn't work if you're not a .Mac member. It's poor user interface, and a poor user experience.
I hope you reconsider your position in these matters over the next sixty day. I think a severe backlash is possible, otherwise, but even with no severe reprucussions, Macintosh user's confidence will be damaged to some degree. I know that my confidence is wavering. However. I hope my feedback, alone with other user's writing, will help guild a change in .Mac policies. I know Apple has regarded feedback highly lately, and I feel this matter is very serious. It should recieve the same consideration that is present for other consumer feedback.
Thoughts / Comments??
I sent this e-mail to Apple's feedback page on the .Mac service. I though it made some good points, and so I hope you will consider these words, also.
------------------->
I am concerned over your policies with the iTools conversion to .Mac. Many Mac users are furious about the switch from the free iTools to the fee-based .Mac. Many people simply do not use iTools heavily enough to justify the added expense. Other users are bothered by the fact that much of the value of .Mac seems to be in Backup and Virex, but people who are at all serious about backup and anti-virus software probably already own equivalent software that may be significantly more capable, as certainly is the case with Dantz's Retrospect backup applications. Plus, .Mac doesn't come with any Internet access, whereas most Internet connections from standard ISPs like EarthLink already include multiple email addresses and Web space, making the decision to pay yet again for these features more difficult. And finally, people feel let down because Apple initially made a big deal about how iTools was free and was intended to be a part of the overall Macintosh experience. On your "get iTools" blurb, seen upon installing OSX, you say, "Another benefit of owning Apple products is that you'll be able to use Apple's iTools for free". iTools does not exist any longer, and the .Mac model does not include any of these services for free. With no basic free options available under .Mac, it seem Apple has mislead customers. Personally, I believe Apple is within their rights in this matter, but I still understand how people could be very upset. Honestly, it is hard for me to say these customers were not mislead at all by Apple.
Perhaps a better move would be to keep only the Mac.com e-mail address, at least a forwarding address, available for free for current users. This option would ensure that Mac.com email addresses would continue to help promote the advantages of the Macintosh at large while significantly reducing the bandwidth and disk space requirements of the service model.
However, I do have another major concern. Many .Mac features are built into Mac OS X itself and into applications like iPhoto. It doesn't look good if high-profile functionality like having the iDisk be available from a Finder menu or HomePage publishing of Web photo albums simply doesn't work if you're not a .Mac member. It's poor user interface, and a poor user experience.
I hope you reconsider your position in these matters over the next sixty day. I think a severe backlash is possible, otherwise, but even with no severe reprucussions, Macintosh user's confidence will be damaged to some degree. I know that my confidence is wavering. However. I hope my feedback, alone with other user's writing, will help guild a change in .Mac policies. I know Apple has regarded feedback highly lately, and I feel this matter is very serious. It should recieve the same consideration that is present for other consumer feedback.
Comments
B: Do you have a screen grab of the Terms and Conditions which follow on another screen? If you do please read them.
J :cool: